A new app called Sign-N-Send takes it a new level by allowing text and signature input on your iPhone.

How it works

The app allows you to open and edit both PDF documents and Microsoft Office documents. In terms of editing, you can add text, a digital signature (or scribbles), and you can also use a highlighter to select text.

The text input is better than the signature input. I played around with the digital signature option and my digital signature resembles my real signature, but there is a very noticeable difference. For the most part, the app does not draw smooth lines—curvy letters tend to look awkwardly straight.

Once you completed editing your document, just hit send and the app will convert either the PDF or Word document into a PDF, allowing you to email or print it. In terms of MS Office conversions, the fine print says you get 2 free conversions per day and after that you have to pay extra.

The app is available as a free version and a paid version ($1.99). The free version inserts an ad as the first page of the PDF, so if you plan on exporting anything, you need to buy the paid version. Lastly, it appears the app is only available for the iPhone, but I suspect that will change.

The app could be useful in emergencies

There are relatively few instances where you need to add a digital signature—either a s/ or your normal longhand signature. That said, being able to do so from your smartphone would be extremely helpful when necessary. For $2, it is worth the price—even if you only use it once or twice a year.

In terms of functionality, the app works rather well (aside from “boxy” looking signatures). The text input works well and looks clean. Again, I would not make a habit of using the app all the time, but it could really help you out in a pinch.

Randall sues debt collectors that harass consumers, assists consumers with student loan issues, and defends consumers in debt collection lawsuits. He is also an attorney instructor at the University of Minnesota Law School.

I’m not on the e-signature train. They seem effectively impossible to authenticate, which is the only time a signature really matters. With a manual signature, you just need a canceled check and a handwriting expert. To authenticate an e-signature, you need server logs, hard drive images, subpoenas, three or four computer forensic experts, and possibly the canceled check and handwriting expert, too.

I’m certain e-signatures are the way of the future, but right now, it’s way too easy to escape a contract by saying someone else had your password and access to your computer.

I’m not convinced that smartphones represent the best support to e-sign documents. Would you sign a big 50-pages contract with a client on your iPhone? I’d be worried to miss a last minute update and sign for something I’m not aware of.

Clearly smartphones are very limited when it comes to document reading/editing. It also seems that this specific app does not work so well (see comments left by users on the iTune page).